VERSATILE MAGE: RISE OF A LEGEND

Next morning, Light stood outside Anahita's grand palace, feeling ... The palace's towering walls and the sprawling gardens that surrounded it were now familiar to him, but they no longer felt like a place of wonder and excitement. Instead, they had become a backdrop to the revelations that were only just beginning to unfold in his life.

As he and Anahita entered the palace's dining hall, the sight that greeted them made Light pause. Hera, Hestia, and Ares were standing near the large windows, their expressions calm.

Light stood in the hall, his heart heavy with the impending goodbyes. Hera, his mother, was dressed in a flowing white robe that seemed to shimmer with an ethereal light, her eyes reflecting the deep love and wisdom she bore for her children. Hestia, his aunt, exuded a quiet strength, her aura as calm and powerful as the ocean. Ares, his elder brother, looked imposing yet compassionate, his sharp gaze softening as it rested on Light.

"We're ready to depart for Greece," Hera said softly as she noticed Light and Anahita's entrance.

Light felt a pang of sadness at the thought of their departure. Greece, with all its history and power, was their home, and yet he knew that the distance would not lessen the bond they shared. He approached Hera and Hestia, wrapping them both in a tight hug.

"I'll miss you," he whispered, feeling the warmth of their embrace.

Hera smiled, her eyes filled with pride and love. "And we'll miss you, Light. But remember, your journey is just beginning. Cultivate, keep yourself determined, and don't hesitate to ask for help whenever you need it. The path of a mage is long and filled with challenges, but it's also filled with discovery and growth. Enjoy the journey."

Hestia nodded in agreement, her usually stern expression softened. "We'll always be here for you, Light. No matter where we are, we're never far away."

Light nodded, trying to keep his emotions in check as he stepped back. "I will. Thank you."

With one last look, Hera, Hestia, and Ares left the dining hall, their figures disappearing down the corridor as they made their way to the airport. Light stood there for a moment, staring after them, feeling a mix of emotions swirling within him.

"Athena just told me to remind you to get ready. It's time for you all to return home as well.",Anahita's voice broke through his thoughts.

Light turned to Anahita, nodding as he let out a breath. "Right. Let's get ready then."

---

The afternoon sun was beginning to sink toward the horizon as Light and his sisters boarded Anahita's private plane. The luxury of the plane was something Light had grown accustomed to during their travels, but this time, the journey felt different. There was a sense of finality to it, as if they were closing one chapter of their lives and preparing to open another.

By evening, they reached Magic City, the vibrant and bustling hub of magical energy that always seemed to hum with life. The city was a stark contrast to the tranquil skies they had just left behind, with its towering skyscrapers and the flickering lights of magic that danced through the air.

From there, they took a train to Xiamen, the rhythmic sound of the tracks beneath them lulling Light into a contemplative silence. It wasn't long before they boarded a bus that would take them the final stretch to Bo City. The landscape outside the windows gradually changed from the urban sprawl of Magic City to the more familiar, peaceful surroundings of their hometown.

As they approached their home, a sense of warmth and familiarity washed over Light. The sight of the house, nestled among the trees with its welcoming lights shining in the dusk, filled him with a deep sense of belonging.

The moment they stepped through the door, Light's parents were there to greet them, their faces lighting up with joy at the sight of their children.

"Welcome home!" Light's mother exclaimed, pulling him into a tight hug. "We're so proud of you, Light. Congratulations on successfully awakening the Space Element."

Light felt his heart swell with pride and happiness as his father joined in, giving him a firm pat on the back. "You've done well, son. You've made us all proud."

Ye XinXia, standing nearby with a shy smile, stepped forward to congratulate Light as well. "Congratulations, big brother," she said softly.

Light smiled warmly at his little sister and bent down to kiss her on the forehead. "Thank you, XinXia. It means a lot coming from you."

After the flurry of greetings and congratulations, Light's mother gently urged them all to get freshened up before dinner. "It's been a long journey, and you all must be tired. Go wash up and get ready for dinner."

---

Dinner that night was a quiet, comfortable affair, filled with laughter and light-hearted conversation. But as the evening drew to a close, a sense of anticipation began to build within Light. There was something calling to him, something he needed to understand.

Athena, noticing the shift in her brother's demeanor, decided to occupy Light's room for her own cultivation. "I'll use your room tonight, Light. It's got a good atmosphere for meditation."

Light nodded, understanding her need for a space that resonated with her energies. Meanwhile, Su Xuanhua made her way to the rooftop, seeking the open sky for her own cultivation. Su Hongxiu retired to her room, preferring the solitude and quiet as she focused on her training.

Light, however, was drawn to the treehouse in the backyard, a place that had always been his sanctuary. The night was quiet as he climbed up to the rooftop of the treehouse, the familiar creak of the wood beneath his feet bringing a sense of comfort.

Once seated, he took out the Spirit Essence that his mother, Hera, had given him. The vial glowed softly in the moonlight, the essence inside swirling with a mysterious energy that Light could feel even without opening it. Lowering his head slightly, Light placed the vial on his lap, his mind filled with questions and curiosity.

As he sat there, lost in thought, a sudden and unfathomable tapping echoed out from his chest. The sound was so unexpected that Light was momentarily stunned before he finally came back to his senses.

His hand instinctively reached for the necklace around his neck, his fingers closing around the loach-shaped pendant that hung there. The pendant was pitch black, its surface smooth and cool to the touch. Light remembered vividly how, on the day he awakened his elements, this pendant had vibrated incessantly.

But now, something was different.

A faint radiance began to emerge from the Little Loach Pendant, growing stronger with each passing second. Light watched in astonishment as a Warrior-level Soul, which looked like a burning moth, fluttered up from the vial on his lap, appearing unsure of where to go.

The radiance from the pendant seemed to call out to the Warrior Soul, drawing it closer. The soul hesitated for only a moment before it floated over to the pendant, where it was quickly absorbed. The Little Loach Pendant let out a shivering sound, as if it had just consumed something that had deeply satisfied it.

Light's shock deepened as he realized what had just happened. The pendant had absorbed the Warrior-level Soul Essence. But why? What was this pendant truly capable of?

Old Man Ying's words echoed in Light's mind, bringing with them a revelation that shook him to his core. The old man had called this pendant a lifetime vessel, a unique kind of magical item that could fully merge with a human soul. Such vessels were incredibly rare, and others couldn't take them away unless they crushed their master's soul to pieces. A person could only have one lifetime vessel in their entire life.

But there was more. Lifetime vessels came in different types, namely Spirit-grade and Soul-grade. Spirit-grade vessels implied that the equipment's intelligence had awakened. As for Soul-grade, it meant the item had acquired its own soul, its own consciousness.

"Could it be?" Light whispered to himself, his voice barely audible in the quiet night.

He quickly probed the pendant with his Intent, trying to understand the true nature of the item he had been wearing around his neck all this time. As his Intent entered the pendant, Light was shocked to discover that the inside of the Little Loach Pendant actually contained a void space.

The space was not large, but as Light's Intent continued to explore, he spotted a light fluctuating in the incredibly dark area at the center of it. Moving closer, he realized that the light was a ball of green energy hovering above what looked like the waters of a river. The energy was mesmerizing, its radiance as concentrated as the moonlight.

Light's heart raced as he recognized what he was seeing—it was the Soul Essence, the very same Warrior-level Soul Essence he had just offered to the pendant.

The implications of this discovery began to dawn on him. If the Little Loach Pendant could absorb Soul Essences, then it must be a SOUL CONTAINER, a unique kind of Undead Tool capable of collecting the Soul Essences of the departed. Normally, only Undead Magicians were capable of controlling such tools, using them to gather the remnants and essences that appeared after death.

Light's shock turned into amazement as he realized the full extent of what Old Man Ying had gifted him. The Little Loach Pendant was no ordinary magical tool—it was a treasure, one that would aid him in ways he had never imagined.

Light could feel it—an inexplicable connection to the pendant that had only grown stronger after Old Man Ying's passing. He always believed the pendant to be alive, as if it housed a consciousness of its own. Tonight, that belief felt more tangible than ever.

As he continued to probe the pendant with his Intent, Light felt as though he had landed in a hot spring. The warmth that enveloped him was silky smooth, easing his exhaustion and clearing his spiritual world. His state of mind became more tranquil and cozy than ever before.

The pendant began to show an effect that caught Light's attention. The pendant, which had always been with him, began to show the effects of a Stardust Magic Tool.

A sudden thought struck him, causing his heart to race with a mixture of excitement and confusion. "Is it possible that this Loach Pendant that I have always worn is actually a Stardust Magic Tool?"

Light's excitement began to rise, his pulse quickening as he considered the implications. He knew what a Stardust Magic Tool was—a precious item that could aid in a mage's cultivation, accelerating their growth and power. But could this pendant, which had been with him through thick and thin, truly be one?

He watched in awe as the faint light enveloping the pendant began to intensify, the surface of the pendant undergoing a subtle transformation. The old, rusty appearance was giving way to something new—a glossy, jade-like sheen that made the pendant look more like a treasure than a simple trinket.

"This Loach Pendant seems to really be a freaking Stardust Magic Tool," Light whispered to himself, unable to hide his growing excitement. "It was a precious Meditation Tool and also an Undead Tool…"

The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. This wasn't just a simple Stardust Magic Tool. The Loach Pendant was special, unique even. It was a soul-grade lifetime vessel with its own consciousness, and possibly even its own soul.

Light sat there, completely mesmerized as the pendant suddenly trembled in his hand, letting out a gentle but radiant light that extended a finger-length away from its circumference. The light was viscous, almost silk-like, as it wrapped around the pitch-black pendant, giving it an ethereal glow.

"Is this really happening?" Light wondered aloud, feeling the weight of the moment. The Little Loach Pendant was undergoing a transformation right before his eyes, its old surface shedding to reveal something far more precious and powerful. He could distinctly feel the changes to the pendant, as if the object was alive and reacting to his thoughts and emotions.

After the transformation had finished, Light noticed that the pendant's location on his chest was now emanating a very comfortable flow of energy. It was as if the pendant was no longer just a lifeless object but something that interacted with him on a deeply spiritual level.

When he had used the Common grade Stardust Magic Tool, it felt like being soaked by a warm spring; his entire body would relax, and his mind would clear. But now, with the transformed Loach Pendant, the feeling was entirely different. It was as if he was being covered by something unique—a soft silk that clung tightly to his entire body but was not a burden in any way.

Light was delighted. He could clearly feel that this kind of nourishment definitely belonged to a Spirit grade Stardust Magic Tool. In addition to his exhaustion quickly dissipating, Light could also feel his own Stardust being showered with a nourishing energy; this sensation was similar to actively meditating, but even more intense.

"It is able to increase cultivation without meditating?!" Light was thoroughly shocked. The implications of such a discovery were staggering. When he was not meditating, his Stardust could still slowly grow, and when he did meditate, the effect on the growth of his Stardust would be significantly higher than normal.

Light had already noticed that his meditation time had increased, allowing him to cultivate for longer periods without feeling fatigued. Now, with the effects of the Loach Pendant enhancing his meditation, his power would grow even faster—like a rocket shooting toward the heavens!

Light continued sitting there, studying the Loach Pendant. The night was growing colder, but he barely noticed as his mind raced with possibilities. Suddenly, something else struck him, something that made his heart skip a beat.

The Loach Pendant had evolved after absorbing the soul essence of a minion-level creature.

"It's a growth-type Stardust Magic Tool," Light realized with a sense of awe. "It's able to absorb magical energy from other objects in order to boost its own capabilities. After absorbing enough magical energy, it can raise its Spiritual level."

This realization sent a shiver down his spine. If the pendant could absorb magical energy from soul essences, then it could potentially absorb energy from other Stardust Magic Tools as well. The thought of the pendant draining the energy from his valuable tools was alarming.

"I must keep my Stardust Magic Tools away from the Loach Pendant's reach, or it will absorb their magical powers," Light thought, a note of panic in his voice. But then, another thought crossed his mind.

Or… should I try to persuade it not to absorb the magical energy? After all, it's a soul-grade lifetime vessel. If it has a consciousness, perhaps it can be reasoned with.

Light took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. He decided to try and communicate with the pendant, hoping to reach some sort of understanding.

"Little Loach, listen to me," Light began, speaking softly as if addressing a close friend. "I know you need magical energy to grow stronger, but you can't absorb the energy from my Stardust Magic Tools. They're too important to me. I promise I'll find you other sources of magical energy, something that will help you grow even stronger."

As if in response, the pendant vibrated gently, emitting a soft hum that seemed to acknowledge his words. Light felt a wave of relief wash over him, followed by a surge of excitement.

The Loach Pendant was indeed a soul-grade lifetime vessel, and it had responded to his plea. Light couldn't help but feel delighted by this confirmation. The pendant wasn't just a tool; it was a living entity, one that had chosen to bond with him.

With a sense of renewed determination, Light took out the Magic Accelerator—a ring he could wear on his finger. The ring was a powerful artifact that could boost his cultivation speed, and he knew that combined with the effects of the Loach Pendant, his progress would be nothing short of phenomenal.

He immediately went into a meditative state, focusing his mind on the task at hand. As he began to cultivate, he felt his speed increase exponentially, as if his power was being propelled by a rocket. The energy flowing from the pendant and the ring merged, creating a synergy that allowed him to connect the stars of his Space Element at an unprecedented rate.

Throughout the entire night, Light remained in this state, his mind and body completely absorbed in the cultivation process. By the time dawn broke, he had successfully connected all seven stars of the Space Element, a feat that should have taken weeks, if not months.

When he finally emerged from his seclusion, the day was already dark. Light was amazed to discover that an entire day had passed without him even realizing it. The Magic Accelerator ring had proven to be incredibly effective, allowing him to draw 21 stars in just one day.

In that same day, he had awakened all seven stars of his three elements—Space, Undead, and Chaos—and could now draw them into star orbits. The speed of his progress was staggering, and if it weren't for the rumbling of his stomach, he might have continued cultivating even longer.

Light climbed down from the treehouse, his thoughts still buzzing with excitement. He reached the gate of his house and opened it with the key he always carried, his mind already on the food waiting for him in the kitchen.

In the large dining hall, the lights were dim, casting long shadows across the room. It was quiet, almost eerily so, but Light didn't mind. The only person there was himself, and he was too hungry to care. He quickly set about wolfing down the food laid out before him, savoring every bite.

"Ah, the feeling of being full is great…" Light belched loudly, feeling satisfied and content as he left the dining hall. His stomach was full, and his mind was at ease. It had been an eventful day, one that had pushed him further along his path to becoming a powerful mage.

Light returned to his shared room and found Athena already asleep, her breathing slow and steady. He quietly slipped into bed beside her, wrapping his arms around her in a comforting embrace. The exhaustion from the day's events finally caught up with him, and within moments, he was asleep.

The night was still, the only sound the soft rustle of leaves in the wind. As Light slept, the

Little Loach Pendant continued to emit a faint, pulsating light—a reminder that the journey was far from over. The pendant had revealed its true nature, and with it, the path to unimaginable power.

But with that power came great responsibility, and Light knew that the road ahead would be filled with challenges. The pendant was no ordinary tool; it was a living entity with its own desires and needs. And together, they would have to navigate the treacherous world of magic and mysticism.

For now, though, all Light could think about was the warmth of his sister's embrace and the gentle lull of sleep. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for tonight, he was content to rest, knowing that he had taken the first step toward becoming the greatest mage the world had ever seen.